Target posted its second quarter earnings that plunged almost -90%, while missing analysts' expectations.
The retail giant’s earnings for the quarter came in at $0.39 a share, vs. $3.65 a share a year ago. The figure is also well below FactSet's consensus estimate of $0.79 a share.
Revenue of $26.04 billion, up from $25.16 billion a year earlier. Analysts expected $26.03 billion.
Gross margin narrowed to 21.5% from 30.4% a year ago, in part reflecting higher markdown rates mainly due to inventory impairments and actions to deal with lower-than-expected sales in discretionary categories, and higher shipping costs.
The company’s inventory was $15.32 billion in the second quarter, rising from $15.08 billion in the first quarter and $11.26 billion in the year-ago quarter. "While these inventory actions put significant pressure on our near-term profitability, we're confident this was the right long-term decision in support of our guests, our team and our business," Brian Cornell, Target's chairman and CEO, mentioned. In June, TTarget had cautioned that its profitability would be impacted due to its plans to lower prices in order to sell unwanted inventory.
Target projects full-year revenue growth in the low- to mid-single digit range. It is expecting operating margin rate in a range of around 6% in the second half of 2022.
On September 18, 2026, the Stochastic Oscillator for TGT moved out of oversold territory and this could be a bullish sign for the stock. Traders may want to buy the stock or buy call options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 57 instances where the indicator left the oversold zone. In 40 of the 57 cases the stock moved higher in the following days. This puts the odds of a move higher at over 70%.
Following a +0.17% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where TGT advanced for three days, in 201 of 301 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 67%.
TGT may jump back above the lower band and head toward the middle band. Traders may consider buying the stock or exploring call options.
The Aroon Indicator entered an Uptrend today. In 139 of 212 cases where TGT Aroon's Indicator entered an Uptrend, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued Uptrend are 66%.
The Momentum Indicator moved below the 0 level on October 01, 2026. You may want to consider selling the stock, shorting the stock, or exploring put options on TGT as a result. In 58 of 87 cases where the Momentum Indicator fell below 0, the stock fell further within the subsequent month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 67%.
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence Histogram (MACD) for TGT turned negative on August 31, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to turn lower in the coming weeks. Traders may want to sell the stock or buy put options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 50 similar instances when the indicator turned negative. In 28 of the 50 cases the stock turned lower in the days that followed. This puts the odds of success at 56%.
TGT moved below its 50-day moving average on October 05, 2026 date and that indicates a change from an upward trend to a downward trend.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where TGT declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 62%.
The Tickeron PE Growth Rating for this company is 11 (best 1 - 100 worst), pointing to outstanding earnings growth. The PE Growth rating is based on a comparative analysis of stock PE ratio increase over the last 12 months compared against S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron SMR rating for this company is 36 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating strong sales and a profitable business model. SMR (Sales, Margin, Return on Equity) rating is based on comparative analysis of weighted Sales, Income Margin and Return on Equity values compared against S&P 500 index constituents. The weighted SMR value is a proprietary formula developed by Tickeron and represents an overall profitability measure for a stock.
The Tickeron Price Growth Rating for this company is 39 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating steady price growth. TGT’s price grows at a higher rate over the last 12 months as compared to S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Seasonality Score of 50 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is fair valued in the industry. The Tickeron Seasonality score describes the variance of predictable price changes around the same period every calendar year. These changes can be tied to a specific month, quarter, holiday or vacation period, as well as a meteorological or growing season.
The Tickeron Valuation Rating of 62 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is fair valued in the industry. This rating compares market capitalization estimated by our proprietary formula with the current market capitalization. This rating is based on the following metrics, as compared to industry averages: P/B Ratio (4.034) is normal, around the industry mean (7.191). P/E Ratio (16.435) is within average values for comparable stocks, (36.397). Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (1.972) is also within normal values, averaging (2.171). TGT has a moderately high Dividend Yield (0.029) as compared to the industry average of (0.009). P/S Ratio (0.654) is also within normal values, averaging (1.008).
The Tickeron Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for this company is 100 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating that the returns do not compensate for the risks. TGT’s unstable profits reported over time resulted in significant Drawdowns within these last five years. A stable profit reduces stock drawdown and volatility. The average Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for the industry is 63, placing this stock worse than average.
The average fundamental analysis ratings, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, are as follows
a department and discount store
Industry DiscountStores